Armenia is a landlocked country in the Transcaucasia region between the Black and Caspian Seas. It is both mountainous and flat with fast flowing rivers. It has hot summers and cold winters.

In the early 1990, after devastating earthquake, ongoing war, major economic deprivation, and harsh winters, people cut down trees in parks and forests. In the last 20 years, the Armenia Tree Project has been leading an effort to repopulate public spaces and help reforest. The government is also taking an active role in reforestation and to teach the value of conservation.

Most of the population lives in the western and northwestern parts of the country.

Sports

Chess is considered a national sport.

Football (soccer) is very popular as is weightlifting and wrestling.

They host the Pan American Games and have been very successful in the Olympics

Animals

Wild boars, porcupines, lizards, snakes and many species of birds are seen there and it is an important area for migratory animals.

The leopard, the Caucasian bear and the Caucasian bearded goat are endangered species.

Facts of Interest

Armenia is a republic and gained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Their flag reflects these struggles: red recalls blood shed for liberty and maintenance of their Christian faith; blue is for Armenian skies and for hope; and orange represents their land and the courage of the workers who farm it.

Concerns

There has been a disastrous approach to resource management which has divided society – pollution vs. economy.

They are addressing their environmental issues and are implementing taxes on air and water pollution, deforestation, and solid waste disposal.

Pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT is not helping the already poor soil quality in many parts of the country

Mission

The mission of the Jinishain program, a ministry of the PC USA, is to enable Armenians to move from poverty and despair to self-sufficiency and hope through relief, development and spiritual uplift. The program has persevered amid the political and economic crises